2023 Murray Garvin County Softball League
8 & Under coach-pitch rules
1. Time Limits: 1 hour or 5 innings, no new inning at 55 minutes
2. Run Limit: 6 runs per inning by team at bat.
3. Run Ahead Rule: 13 runs after 3 innings, 7 runs after 4 innings.
4. Defensive Players:
A. 6 infielders and 4 outfielders (Outfielders must be 15-feet behind the baseline until ball is hit)
B. Pitcher must be behind the 35-foot arc with-in 3-feet of the adult pitcher. (Only one pitcher allowed in pitching area (circle)
C. All infielders must stand behind this line until ball is hit
The penalties for advancing above the 35-foot arc are as follows:
1st Offense: Umpire will issue a team warning.
2nd Offense: Player must be moved to a different position other than 1st, 3rd, or pitcher.
D. If a defensive player throws the ball and it hits the pitcher a dead ball is declared, play stops and the runners may only advance ONE BASE, if forced.
5. Batting:
A. Bat 10, play 10 in the field. Use substitution rules.
B. If batted ball or thrown ball hits the pitching coach, the ball is dead, and the runners may only advance ONE BASE, if forced.
C. Each batter will be allowed 5 pitches or 3 missed swings. Batter is not out if they continue to foul off the 5th & succeeding pitches.
D. There are no walks, intentional or other wise
E. Bunting is not allowed.
6. Base Runner:
A. There is no Drop 3rd Strike Rule. Players must hit the ball to advance to 1st base.
B. Base runners are to have one foot in contact with the base and cannot leave the base until the ball is batted.
1. Penalty for leaving the base early will be an out
C. No infield fly rule.
D. No Stealing
E. Play will stop when the lead runner is stopped, not when the ball gets back to the pitcher.
7. Coaches:
Offense: 1 pitching coach, 1 coach at 1st base, 1 coach at 3rd base.
Defense: One defensive coach may be outside the dugout. This coach must remain close to the fence between the on-deck batter’s box and 1st base or 3rd base depending on dugout. Should a coach move outside this area, the umpire may restrict him/her to the dugout. If subsequent coaches violate this rule, the umpire may prevent any defensive coaches from being outside the dugout. If a live ball strikes anyone or any equipment out of the dugout, bases will be awarded by the umpire.
8. Pitching Coaches:
A. All pitches will be underhand.
B. The coach/pitcher must have one foot on the rubber when the ball is released to the batter.
1. Any pitch that does not follow this rule will count as a pitch against the batter and will be a dead ball, no runners may advance and the batter may not take a base if the pitch is hit.
` 2. If the offense occurs on the fifth (5th) pitch, the batter will be out.
3. The pitching coach must exit fair territory after the ball is hit and/or avoid contact. § Penalty:
C. If a batted ball hits a pitcher, intentionally or unintentionally, the play will result in a dead ball and the batter will be ruled out.
D. Runners return to the base they occupied as if it were a foul ball.
E. If the coach/pitcher is hit by a thrown ball, it is the same penalty. • Interfering with a player, intentionally or unintentionally, attempting to make a play result in the batter being out and no runners can advance.
F. Pitching coach may coach the batter only. If pitching coach is intentionally coaching other players the following penalties will be enforced:
1st Offense: Umpire will warn coach.
2nd Offense: Lead runner is out.
3rd Offense: Lead runner is out and ejection of pitching coach.
G. Pitching coaches must avoid a ball that is hit, then exit the field if and when necessary. If the coach, in the umpire’s judgment, interferes with a play the following penalties will be enforced:
1st Offense: Umpire will warn coach.
2nd Offense: Lead runner is out.
3rd Offense: Lead runner is out & ejection of pitching coach.
9. Dugouts:
All coaches, players & team members must be in the dugout except when required to be in the playing field.
10. Softball:
A. Worth 11-inch Optic Yellow.
B. Home team will provide game balls.
11. Overthrows:
Overthrow base going to plus one. All other balls are live.
An overthrow is a ball going out of play (i.e. over the fence, into the dugout, etc.). A throw by is a ball that is missed by a player and is still in the field of play either fair of foul.
11. 20-second pitch clock limit
The 20-second time limit (or clock) starts when the coach/pitcher receives the ball. If a coach/pitcher violates the 20-second rule he or she shall be warned by the umpire. After a coach/pitcher is warned, and they continue to violate the rule, a strike will be awarded for each violation. There is one warning per coach/pitcher.
